Media for enhanced optical auto-focus performance and methods for using same
AssigneeCreo Inc.
InventorTangyu Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-layer imaging medium has a layer that absorbs radiation at a wavelength used by an optical auto-focus system. Spurious reflections are suppressed. The layer transmits radiation at a wavelength used to image the medium. The layer may function as a support layer for the medium. Thermal imaging media may be made according to the invention.
Claims28
An auto-focus method for use in imaging an imaging medium comprising a plurality of layers, the method comprising:
- reflecting a first beam of radiation having a first wavelength from a front surface of the imaging medium to yield a primary reflected beam while allowing radiation of the first wavelength to be absorbed within the imaging medium to suppress spurious reflected beams of radiation of the first wavelength;
- detecting the primary reflected beam and, based on information obtained from the primary reflected beam, changing a focus of an imaging radiation beam incident on the front surface, the imaging radiation beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the imaging radiation beam imparting an image to the imaging medium.
An imaging method comprising:
- providing an imaging medium comprising:
- I) an imaging layer comprising a material capable of being patterned by application of focused radiation of an imaging wavelength;
- and,
- ii) a front layer in front of the imaging layer and substantially transmissive at the imaging wavelength, the front layer absorbing radiation of an auto-focus second wavelength different from the imaging wavelength;
- reflecting a beam of light containing light of the auto-focus wavelength off of a front surface of the front layer to provide a primary reflected beam;
- detecting the primary reflected beam at a detector and generating a control signal in response to the detection of the primary reflected beam;
- using the control signal to adjust an auto-focus system;
- and,
- imaging the imaging layer with a beam of radiation of the imaging wavelength focused by the auto-focus system.
An imaging medium comprising a plurality of layers, the imaging medium imageable by radiation of an imaging wavelength, the imaging medium having a front layer which is absorbing at an auto-focus wavelength different from the imaging wavelength and an imaging layer behind the front layer.
An imaging medium imageable at a first wavelength, the imaging medium comprising:
- a plurality of layers having different indices of refraction, the layers meeting at one or more interfaces capable of producing one or more spurious reflections of light of an auto-focus wavelength;
- at least one of the layers being an imagewise addressable layer that is capable of being imagewise changed by radiation of an imaging wavelength different from the auto-focus wavelength;
- at least one of the layers being absorptive to light of the auto-focus wavelength.
An imaging medium comprising:
- an imaging layer comprising a material capable of being patterned by application of focused radiation having an imaging wavelength;
- and,
- a layer in front of the imaging layer and substantially transmissive at the imaging wavelength, the layer absorbing radiation having an auto-focus wavelength different from the imaging wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.